PAT CAPUTO: So the Lions are in the playoffs -- what now? WITH VIDEO

When the Lions broke their 19-game losing streak with a victory over the Redskins in 2009, they celebrated by giving their fans in the stands at Ford Field, "high fives."

Among the first things Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said afterward was, "We'd like to get to a point where a regular-season win isn't celebrated that much."

Flash forward two seasons. Christmas Eve, to be exact.

The Lions beat the San Diego Chargers to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 1999 and celebrated by giving their fans in the stands, "high fives."

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Among the first things Schwartz said afterward was, "There's going to come a time when we don't celebrate going to the playoffs, but not tonight."

Perspective. Give Schwartz credit for it. He has understood all along building the Lions from the ground up is a step-by-step process.

There will be a point, maybe even as soon as this season, depending on how the Lions account for themselves in the playoffs, when merely reaching the postseason isn't enough.

There is never a stage when an NFL team on the rise can let its guard down.

At this time last year, the Kansas City Chiefs were riding the crest of playoff-mania. They were 10-5 after routing Tennessee to win the AFC West after going just 4-12 in 2009.

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel's QB rating wasn't much lower than that of Detroit's Matthew Stafford this season. The Chiefs had a tremendous running back in Jamaal Charles, who was raising eyebrows by averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Dwayne Bowe had developed into one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, and the Chiefs' defense was stellar, featuring a strong defensive line and a rookie safety, Eric Berry, who made the Pro Bowl.

Not only were the Chiefs in the playoffs, they hosted a playoff game -- and were blown out 30-7 by the Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs never recovered from that game. They will not be .500 this season. Charles and Cassel went out long ago with season-ending injuries. Todd Haley, the Chiefs head coach who was just in his second year in 2010, never made it through a third year. He was fired this month.

The Patriots' Bill Belichick was the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in 2010. Second was Raheem Morris of Tampa Bay after leading the Buccaneers to a 10-6 record. He will likely be fired at he end of this season. Third? Todd Haley.

And the Chiefs started their drop with that poor playoff performance against the Ravens.

If there are any fans who should remember the glow of reaching the playoffs can dim quickly once there it's those of the Lions.

The "partying like it's 1999" references must cease in regard to the Lions. That wasn't much of a party the last time they were in the playoffs. They were pounded by the Redskins in Washington.

In 1997, this town was absolutely giddy about the Lions after Barry Sanders went over 2,000 yards during an inspiring late-season victory over the Jets at the Silverdome. It meant little when the Lions were drilled in the playoffs by Tampa Bay.

A common theme throughout the Lions' playoff-clinching win Sunday over San Diego was records falling. It was constantly, "He became the first Lions player since 1995..." or "For the first time since 1995, Lions have..."

Didn't matter much, though, when the Lions trailed 51-7 early in the third quarter in their playoff game at Philly that year.

On and on it goes. Barry Sanders minus a yard rushing at Green Bay. The Packers' Sterling Sharpe all alone in the end zone. Redskins 41, Lions 10. Eddie Murray wide right in San Francisco. Greg Landry being sacked for a safety in a 5-0 playoff loss at Dallas..

The Lions played well at the end of those regular seasons, too. They "roared" into the playoffs and left whimpering.

It's good Jim Schwartz understands reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1999 isn't a party for the Lions. Just a means to an end.

Not one like the Chiefs celebrated last year, or the Lions' teams from the past.

But rather one that is only another step forward toward a much bigger goal.